The Son of the Widow of Nain

The Bible says that Jesus “ ‘went about doing good and healing all

who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him’ ” (Acts 10:38,

NASB). Indeed, all the Gospels are full of accounts of Jesus ministering

to many needy and hurting souls, which is why later many Jews came

to believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah.

“There were whole villages where there was not a moan of sickness

in any house, for He had passed through them and healed all their sick.

His work gave evidence of His divine anointing. Love, mercy, and

compassion were revealed in every act of His life; His heart went out

in tender sympathy to the children of men. He took man’s nature, that

He might reach man’s wants. The poorest and humblest were not afraid

to approach Him. Even little children were attracted to Him.”—Ellen

G. White, Steps to Christ, pp. 11, 12.

Read Luke 7:11–17. What important difference is there between what

happened in this resurrection and in the ones we looked at yesterday?

During His ministry in Galilee, Jesus healed the sick and expelled

demons. One time, He and His followers were approaching the gates

of Nain when a funeral procession was going through those gates. In

the open coffin was the only son of a widow, who was weeping incon-

solably. Full of compassion for the grieving mother, Jesus said to her,

“ ‘Do not weep.’ ” Then Jesus turned to the dead son in the coffin and

ordered him, “ ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ ” The son came to life,

and Jesus “presented him to his mother” (Luke 7:13–15, NKJV). The

presence of Jesus completely changed the whole scenario, and many

people who had witnessed the miracle knew not only that something

astonishing had happened but also that someone special (they called

Him “a great prophet”) was among them.

Both the Phoenician widow (1 Kings 17:8–24) and the Shunammite

woman (2 Kings 4:18–37) had asked for help—from Elijah and Elisha,

respectively. But the widow of Nain was helped without even asking for

it. This means that God cares for us even when we are unable or feel

unworthy to ask Him for help. Jesus saw the problem and dealt with

it—so typical of Jesus through all His ministry.

True religion involves caring for orphans and widows around us

(James 1:27). Though, obviously, we won’t be able to do the kind

of miracles Jesus did, what can we do to minister to those who

are hurting around us?